Bristol City season 2019/20 review: The highs, lows and final judgements Our City writer's definitive call on the - finally - completed campaign Game of the season Has to be the 5-2 home demolition of Huddersfield Town. A game where City went 5-1 up in 50 minutes before the visitors pulled one back through Juninho Bacuna. The first time City had heat five goals at home since a crazy 5-5 result against Hull City in April 2018. This time there were to be three points dangling at the end of the best home result of the season (certainly if judging by goals; and come on, that's why we watch football). However, honourable mentions to the away win at Fulham (again), the victory at the CCS that saw off Neil Warnock - and beating Wayne Rooney and Derby County at Ashton Gate to keep the top six dream alive at the time. Player of the season We'd go along with the fans-nominated Famara Diedhiou, but we'd also point towards Niclas Eliasson (12) who finished as the third leading assist-er in the division, with only Matheus Pereira (16) and Jed Wallace (13) achieving more set-ups. But Eliasson played almost half as many minutes as that pair: 1,996 to 3,377 (Pereira) and 3,798 (Wallace). Can the Swedish winger be blamed of he's not being picked by his head coach consistently or even fits into a team's formation? We suppose he could force the issue through his own play but arguably he did that only to be dropped again later. Still that's enough moaning about the former head coach. As for Fam, he netted 12 goals in the league falling just short of the 13 he's hit in the last two seasons. If he ever finds a team and manager to play him regularly he might even get closer to 20 some time. Best breakthrough act (new signing) Benik Afobe and Nahki Wells warrant mention here, with the former being taken to plenty of City supporters' hearts, and the latter netting five times in 13 starts. Both did well. However we actually go for Dan Bentley who lost his place to Niki Maenpaa but fought back to recapture form. He also started the season playing well and was instrumental as City only lost twice in the first 17 games of the season. Standout saves at Griffin Park and at home against Wigan caught the eye. In fact he made the fourth most saves in the division. Labelled as a man who could eventually play for his country, Bentley could be vital for City next season. Although his temerity to query his own player ratings in this fine publication/website several times is a minus mark. Younger player? Han-Noah Massengo. Just 19 and with a bright red future in front of him. Underperformer of the season Rodri anyone? This season's Stefan Marinovic. Maybe a mere 151 minutes of playing time was not enough to judge the Spaniard by. Meanwhile there is surely more to come from the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Kasey Palmer and Sam Szmodics. Ultimately we have to go for club record signing Tomas Kalas however. The £8m man signed from Chelsea was excellent last season, but minus Adam Webster beside him - and yes we realise that the two are likely connnected - we expected a mite more from the Czech Republic international with 19 senior caps. In his defence (to the detriment of City's) are the hamstring problems he suffered, the many partners he had and the often switched team selection and tactics. And there were good signs in the final games, particularly at Swansea City and home against Preston, that 'TK' was once again proving to be the rock upon which the Robins perch. The future club captain? It has been hinted at this week. Unsung hero of the season What a job Rene Gilmartin has! We hear that he is key in the dressing room (with Tommy Rowe), and he does coach the women's goalkeepers but there was no action on the pitch. According to our sources he is paid £200k a year. And that has to be the best paid mascot role in the Championship. Other than the Irishman, a point towards Zak Vyner as the only academy graduate to feature semi-regularly and who did a vital job covering several positions after the resumption of football. Bristol City performance A first win in 17 years at rivals Cardiff City. There weren't the goals of the Huddersfield bashing, but this was a gritty, backs-to-the-walll job completed under the noses of messrs Pack, Flint and Tomlin. An Ashley Williams high point too as the former Swans defender was caught on camera enjoying victory after the game. Best Bristol City loan Liam Walsh at Coventry - where the diminutive midfielder won every award going. Please tie him up to a new deal, City, so we can see him in action next season without worrying about him leaving in 11 months. Midfielder Joe Morrell and winger Jonny Smith ran him close at Lincoln City and Oldham Athletic respectively. Lee Johnson performance The former head coach was relieved of duty early this month and sadly for him it has proven to be the right decision: better results, a visibly happier squad and subsequently performances, a settled team and tactics, and a rejuvenation of the club. Johnson did a good job at consolidating the club in the Championship during his four and a half years in BS3, and there was the Carabao Cup run, but it was time to move on. One win in 11 games at the end of the season told its own tale - after a fine start of two defeats in 17 league games. 3/10 Mark Ashton performance The club CEO has his most important decision coming up, but the City board did dispense with Lee Johnson - if in hindsight it proved to be a little too late. Johnson, arguably, deserved his time at the helm for his past achievements. And don't forget that City went 14 games with just one defeat through September and October . As for the transfer windows, City in hindsight looked to have built a good squad last summer, the timing of Benik Afobe's arrival a negative. Disruptive injuries, particularly for Afobe, and the performance of Johnson did not help, but look across the squad and there is plenty of talent that you could see playing in the Premier League in the future and upon which to build: Kalas, Dasilva, Bentley, Massengo... We get the Josh Brownhill sale to bring in Nahki Wells and others. Our only question mark was why send out Jamie Paterson on loan? 7/10 https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-season-201920-review-4362363
Smallest paragraph in the article was about Johnson's performance and a score of 3 out of 10, that just about sums the man up as a head coach for me.
Whatever you think about LJ I believe we are in a much stronger position now than we were when he arrived . I only hope we use our higher profile to appoint a head coach/ manager to take us to the next level . If we improve as much under our next manager as we did under LJ we will reach our goal of promotion to the Premier League.
This is mine Game of the season.Charlton at home and Brownhill’s 96th minute winner, playing with 10 men after Diedhiou was sent off, against a very cynical Charlton side, goal came from one of the best moves of the season. Player of the season. Eliasson a player poorly treated by a failing coach, a player who deserves to have a fully functioning midfield built around him to allow him to create. Best breakthrough act (new signing). Until he was totally over played, Massengo. Underperformer of the season. Callum O’Dowda simply shocking. Unsung hero of the season. Korey Smith eventually fought back from serious injury to work manfully in a shocking midfield almost single handedly, I hope he finds a transfer to set himself and his family up for life, he deserves, A BCFC legend. Bristol City performance. I agree Cardiff away, a very dogged, honest performance won by a super strike. Best Bristol City loan. This is a silly category, how are we supposed to know who was the best player that we sent out on loan?. As for loans into the club they were all poor to average IMHO. Lee Johnson performance. This is easy and I could have written it at any time at all in the past 3 seasons, great from August to December 31st and shocking from January 1st until the end of the season. Mark Ashton performance. I noticed that there are due to be a lot of redundancies within the club, they could save a shedload on this bloke, I think he may well be a big part of the problem. The way the club has gone about finding a replacement for Johnson is frankly woeful.
I agree with most of Jiffies analysis, so I blatantly robbed it - with a couple of tweaks for the few bits I disagreed with (hope you don't mind Jiffie…) Game of the season.Charlton at home and Brownhill’s 96th minute winner, playing with 10 men after Diedhiou was sent off, against a very cynical Charlton side, goal came from one of the best moves of the season. I quite liked beating Wayne Rooney's Derby County Player of the season. Eliasson a player poorly treated by a failing coach, a player who deserves to have a fully functioning midfield built around him to allow him to create. Agree. It's a mystery to me why LJ didn't make more use of him - whatever one's opinion on LJ is he's not stupid. I'd like to know his reasoning for the way he played NE (or didn't play him). Best breakthrough act (new signing). Until he was totally over played, Massengo. Disagree - I would say Afobe - until his injury Underperformer of the season. Callum O’Dowda simply shocking. Disagree. COD has been poor I admit, but for me its Massengo. All the hype of a 'wonderkid' seems total rubbish to me - I recon his agent must work for Carlsberg. There may be a footballer in there somewhere (there may be a footballer in Diony somewhere) but I certainly can't see it All I see is a lightweight kid with big hair who puts in a stupid tackle occasionally. But then maybe that's why I'm an IT manager and not a football scout...……. Unsung hero of the season. Korey Smith eventually fought back from serious injury to work manfully in a shocking midfield almost single handedly, I hope he finds a transfer to set himself and his family up for life, he deserves, A BCFC legend. Totally agree. I love Kory to bits. Bristol City performance. I agree Cardiff away, a very dogged, honest performance won by a super strike. Spot on Best Bristol City loan. This is a silly category, how are we supposed to know who was the best player that we sent out on loan?. As for loans into the club they were all poor to average IMHO. It has to be Walsh for me. Lee Johnson performance. This is easy and I could have written it at any time at all in the past 3 seasons, great from August to December 31st and shocking from January 1st until the end of the season. Agree. Overall, for me, LJ has averaged out ok - not brilliant or terrible just ok. The football hasn't been great but we are still in the Championship and that's ok by me, but his time was up and he had to go. Streaky to the end. Mark Ashton performance. I noticed that there are due to be a lot of redundancies within the club, they could save a shedload on this bloke, I think he may well be a big part of the problem. The way the club has gone about finding a replacement for Johnson is frankly woeful. If MA is to be judged by his dealings in the transfer market then he's a huge asset. Ok there have been some clangers (Diony) but overall our business has been good. As for choosing LJs replacement; how much of the apparent debacle is down to Ashton and how much is down to Steve L is not clear to me, but it certainly doesn't make us look like an organised unit. I'm surprised that we didn't have someone lined up - I can't believe that LJs sacking was a 'spur of the moment' decision - they've had months to consider who the replacement should be - and don't get me started on the Gerrard nonsense - embarrassing or what?!!
Your comment on us being a somewhat disorganised organisation hits the spot bcfcred. I have felt for years that something, or someone, lurks the dark halls of Ashton Gate throwing spanners in the works whenever we appear to be getting our act in order. I wonder whether we will go down the same route and run in to whatever the problem may be this time out, and let's face it the problem is higher up the chain of command than the coach or manager. When you decide what you want then go out and get it and don't phaff around with any other plan. Know what you want and grab it by the nuts should be the mandate. As a last thought I think Hughton would be well within his rights to see what vacancies open up after the Premier League has finished and I'm sure from his point of view there could be several that would suit him better than Bristol City.
A lot of us on here have been saying the same for more years than I care to remember. A billionaire owner and mega successful businessman that never appears to be on the ball when it comes to the football club. As someone else has hinted at elsewhere, I am also beginning to wonder whether the egg chasers get Lansdowns full attention while BCFC just don't ? Not massively fussed about Hughton one way or the other and at 61 he's hardly a youngster trying to take on the world. I know there are older coaches/Managers like Warnock, Roy Hodgson etc in English football but if Hughton doesn't want us then the board/owner need to get their arses in gear pronto and find someone who does want the job and can take us forward. As I also said elsewhere, it wouldn't surprise me if we had a reputation in football for management meddling and interference which may put some decent candidates off ?
Like Steve Coppell? I wonder if the same reputation has driven players elsewhere because they see the reasons why we can't compete and succeed?
Coppell was not interested from the word go. He was sold the job by Lansdown but was not interested. He choose to go on holiday rather than spend the last few games the end of season before joining. He has history of agreeing to something and then changing his mind. And funny enough they were also called City. I think David James was an excuse. For the people that criticise Lansdown take a look at Bury, Bolton, Wigan and now Charlton (In the past season) to see how to run a football club.
I agree BUT - if we are ever going to get to the Premiership, SL will have to, at some point, take a back seat and allow a manager free reign. That is alien and scary for him (I’m guessing) and for very good reason - he didn’t get rich by giving his money to others to spend how they like. I totally get why SL would retain control over the clubs finances - I just want us to get promoted!!!!
But you could counter that argument with Burnley, Bournemouth, Watford, Fulham, Wigan, Swansea, Cardiff etc all of which are small/unfashionable clubs some of which have had sustained runs in the Premiership over the last 20 years or so. But club ownerships change, and with that so do certain clubs fortunes on and off the pitch as a result.
Bournemouth in the last 20 years have also been in administration had points deductions and almost went out of existence and finally achieved an iffy promotion to the Premier League. Not a model I would want to follow at all. Wouldn't want to follow Watfords example either
As I said, club ownership changes, often to the detriment of the club itself i.e Watford, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Wigan...…...
In the past 20 years Bournemouth would of failed FFP and Cardiff was nearly put in administration and did have a transfer ban for a bit recently. Swansea was probably not that great until the council built their ground for them. Wigan are now ****ed, Watford are forever sacking managers and ran by mad men. You can have Burnley and Fulham if you want.
